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National Farmers' Federation

NFF welcomes new Government ministry

Prime Minister elect Tony Abbott has today announced Australia’s new Government ministry, and the NFF is pleased to welcome Barnaby Joyce to the agriculture portfolio.
“The NFF has had a strong and constructive relationship with the Coalition in Opposition, and we will continue that with the Coalition as they form Government,” NFF President Duncan Fraser said.
“We look forward to working with Prime Minister elect Tony Abbott, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce and Parliamentary Secretary Richard Colbeck and their Parliamentary colleagues, in ensuring a strong and sustainable future for Australian agriculture.
“Reprioritising Australian agriculture in the national agenda has been, and will continue to be, the focus for the NFF – and this will continue to underpin all our work with the new Government, be it on policies affecting farmer productivity, profitability and access to markets, or the agricultural workforce and the natural resources on which our farmers rely.
“Agriculture’s importance to Australia’s society, economy and environment is evidenced by the fact that it crosses so many Ministerial portfolios, including Foreign Affairs (Julie Bishop); Trade and Investment (Andrew Robb); Infrastructure and Regional Development (Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss); Environment (Greg Hunt); Treasury (Joe Hockey); Finance (Mathias Cormann); Employment (Eric Abetz); Education (Christopher Pyne); Communications (Malcolm Turnbull); Industry (Ian Macfarlane); Small Business (Bruce Billson); and Immigration and Border Protection (Scott Morrison).
“We welcome all Ministers, Assistant Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries to their portfolios, and look forward to working closely with them in securing strong policy outcomes for Australian farmers.
“Our immediate priorities are ensuring the Government’s promised commitments to agriculture – including the pledge to cut red and green tape, invest $100 million in agricultural research, development and extension, and reinstate native title funding – are enacted quickly, so that farmers can reap the benefits.
“On the many other issues and policy-decisions affecting Australian farmers, we will continue our role as farmer advocate and watchdog: ensuring that the Government and the Opposition are held to account.
“It’s on with the job for the nation’s politicians and for agriculture’s peak farm body,” Mr Fraser said.

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